A SLOVENIAN truck driver asleep in his cab in Golborne was awoken by a gang who bound his legs and arms together before stealing his lorry containing 190 television sets.

The driver managed to struggle free and jumped out as the lorry was being driven along the East Lancashire Road at Haydock. He was found with minor injuries.

The lorry, with "Intereuropa" on the side and rear, was later found on fire in Ormskirk.

Sgt Dean Fraser, of Leigh CID, said today: "This was a particularly terrifying attack on a lone driver who was forced to jump from a moving vehicle in order to escape.

"He has been left very shaken by the incident, fortunately his injuries are not more serious."

The incident began at about 4am on Sunday in Golborne Enterprise Park. Police only released details about the attack five days later.

The driver said he opened his door after hearing a knock on the cab window and was confronted by a robber who pushed him back into the cab where his hands and feet were bound.

One of the hijackers is described as white with short, blonde hair, aged about 25, around 5ft 7in tall and muscular. He wore a fluorescent green waistcoat with silver stripes and was with three other men. One had a shaven head.

The lorry had foreign registration plates and was also spotted in the Wigan area. Police say there may have been two cars travelling in tandem with the lorry.

Anyone with information should contact Leigh CID on 0161 856 7345.